IUSY RESOLUTION ON HRANT DINK’S MURDER
ABHaber, Belgium
EU-TURKEY News Network
Feb 10 2007
The World Council of the International Union of Socialist Youth
condemns the cold-blooded murder of Hrant Dink, an Armenian journalist
and editor of "Agos" a bi-lingual Weekly in Istanbul on the 19th
January 2007.
This abhorrent crime brings new threats to the rights and existence
of the diminishing Armenian community in Turkey.
The Turkish State should ultimately be held responsible for the murder
of Hrant Dink, a citizen of Turkey due to its,
– Failure to provide Dink with protection, even though he had
explicitly asked for it after receiving death threats for allegedly
"insulting Turkishness" – Systematic denial of the Armenian Genocide.
– Prosecuting of intellectuals like Dink and Pamuk for openly
acknowledging the historic truth of the Armenian Genocide
The continuing policy of Genocide denial has encouraged racism,
fascism and discrimination in Turkish society.
Dink’s murder proves that there is no tolerance in Turkey for differing
views, freedom of speech and minority rights.
Therefore, and mindful of its 2004 World Council Resolution, the IUSY
calls on Turkey:
– To recognize the Armenian genocide and take full responsibility
for this crime against humanity
– To repeal paragraph 301 of the penal code which is frequently used
to prosecute anyone who "insults Turkishness"
– To respect the rights of minorities and freedom of speech.